Participant InformationLevel 3

General Info:Welcome to SOGO Level 3: our Performance Training program for dedicated athletes that want to to build and hone their navigation skills, technical skills, and their physical fitness.

As young athletes that have already participated in SOGO Levels 1 and 2 participants have already development the fundamentals and have started learning how to train more seriously for adventure running and orienteering. In Level 3 we meet twice a week to become stronger runners and better navigators.

Thursday evenings (6:30 to 8:00) we meet in parks across Calgary to focus primarily on the physical components of the sport. Sunday mornings (10:00 to 12:00) we meet at various locations to practice navigation and technical skills. We meet in a different location each week.

SOGO Level 3 is coached by a variety of Navigation and running specialists who each have something different to offer the level 3 athletes. All exercises are designed and developed so each athlete in the program can get exactly what they need.

First Night and Session Layout:​​Because of the small nature of the Level 3 program our sessions aren't as rigidly structured as the younger SOGO programs and there is room to adapt to the training more to each participant.

Each session will start with a group warm-up and an explanation of learning goals of the session. After the warm-up the coach will facilitate a discussion about the exercise, techniques and skills involved before starting so goals for each athlete can be reached. At the end of the session there will be a cool-down and a debrief.

For Level 3 there are no sign-in sheets, no pinnies and no coloured buckets. If you want to leave anything when you arrive you can give it to the coach.

Weekly Schedule:SOGO Level 3 meets on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 in parks across Calgary and on Sunday mornings from 10:00 to 12:00 on some of our best orienteering maps. A detailed plan will me posted when details are confirmed.

Equipment:The following equipment is mandatory:

Thumb compass*

Whistle

Sports watch

Appropriate clothing for running in the forest (a standard running shirt and light long pants or tights or ¾ pants or tights and knee-high socks)

Trail runners with an aggressive tread or orienteering shoes (such as the Inov-8 X-Talon available at several local stores or Icebug shoes available at Gord's Running Store).

We also suggest that athletes should bring the following with them to practice

Water bottle or other hydration system (e.g. Camelback)

Cell phone

*Thumb compasses can be found at Strides Running Store or from the O-Store (by contacting coach Jeff Teutsch).

Volunteering:SOGO Level 3 does not rely heavily on parent volunteers but if you are interested in getting involved please contact deanne@sogoadventurerunning.com

First Aid:The coach will always have a first aid kit on site for any accidents that may occur. The coach will be aware of any medical needs of the kids in their groups, based on any issues you may have indicated during registration. If you forgot to mention something on your registration that may help your child enjoy SOGO more safely please email info@sogoadventurerunning.com.

Weather Policy:Generally we run in the rain, snow, wind, or sunshine. If Environment Canada issues a Weather Warning for extreme wind or lightning we MAY cancel a session. The head coach will assess how the warning affects the specific SOGO location and decide if the session will be cancelled (we all know how localized weather systems can be in Calgary).

SOGO takes place in City and Provincial Parks and operates with permits. As such, Calgary or Alberta Parks may revoke a permit if a specific park is closed or unsafe for us to run in.

If we do cancel a session we will let you know via email at least 2 hours prior to the start of the session. On days where the weather is questionable please check your e-mail before leaving the house to see if the session is still on.

SOGO Swag:SOGO Level 3 participants are each given a black tee shirt as part of their registration fee. We also have an inventory of blue technical t-shirts $15, SOGO hoodies $35 and SOGO toques$25. Items are sold in junior and adult sizes. SOGO Swag is ordered on the Zone 4 registration and delivered on the first night.

Race and Events this Season:

Run the Urban WildDate: Saturday, October 15, 2016Location: NW CalgaryWhat it is: This is a 6 hour team point to point challenge running across NW Calgary parks. The Run the Wild organizing team promises to take runners 'off the grid' and away from civilization! Coach support will be available for this race.